Lexington, KY (June 27, 2024) – Today, Central Bank Center, Rupp Arena, and Lexington Opera House announced it has teamed with Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions, to join its Supplier Diversity Program. Deepening its commitment to economic diversity, the initiative is part of OVG’s ongoing goal to be a catalyst for lasting change and inclusion throughout its organization, partners, and the communities it serves while encouraging business growth for historically underrepresented groups.
In addition to Central Bank Center, Rupp Arena, and Lexington Opera House other venues participating in the program include: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, the world’s first carbon zero certified arena and home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken; CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, ranked the 10th busiest arena in the world; Moody Center in Austin, TX, Pollstar Arena of the Year in 2024; Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA, rated a Top 5 multi-purpose venue in the US; Chicago’s McCormick Place, the nation’s largest convention center and the recently reimagined, state-of-the-art Miami Beach Convention Center.
“Central Bank Center is proud to support this initiative, and we look forward to strengthening our relationships with minority-owned businesses throughout Lexington, Kentucky. These businesses play a vital role within our community and contribute significantly to economic growth and development,” said Brian Sipe, General Manager.
“OVG believes in the power of a diverse community and recognizes the opportunity to be intentional in the ways we support and uplift the communities we serve,” said Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO, Oak View Group. “Our supplier diversity program won’t just benefit underrepresented businesses, it will uplift the communities where these businesses are located through job creation, increased wages, and tax revenue.”
Providing maximum opportunity for local, small, and diverse businesses to become OVG vendors, OVG will identify and increase sourcing from suppliers that are at least 51% minority-owned, including from businesses owned by BIPOC, women, veterans, LGBTQ+, disabled persons, and other local city certifications. When vetting potential suppliers, OVG will consider multiple factors which may change from market to market. These include capacity, based on the size of the potential partner’s company and where within OVG’s operations they would most likely succeed, and key differentiators such as what sets partners apart from competitors, cost savings, reduction in delivery or setup times, value-added services, product/services quality, and sustainability.
“Our goal is to provide exceptional guest experiences at our venues and to do that authentically and responsibly, we need to think beyond customer service and deepen our commitment to the communities we serve,” said Dr. Debonair Oates-Primus, OVG’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion. “This isn’t just a business strategy, it’s our commitment to making a long-lasting economic impact in the communities in which we operate. Minority-owned businesses encounter unique barriers that challenge their growth efforts such as access to capital and networking opportunities. This program aims to alleviate some of those pain points.”
Potential supplier partners interested in applying are encouraged to click here to review the required diversity certifications.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com.
About Central Bank Center
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Lexington Center Corporation (LCC) is a not-for-profit 501c3 corporate agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. It was established in 1974 to maintain Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center), Triangle Park, and the Lexington Opera House. One of the nation’s most storied entertainment destinations, Central Bank Center venues collectively welcome an average of 1.3 million patrons annually.
